BOERNE - Though not one home has been built, the firm now behind the massive Esperanza subdivision near Boerne has made good on its first payment for public infrastructure upgrades intended to support the development.

The project's original developer, Marlin Atlantis of Dallas, agreed in 2008 to pay the city up to $2.3 million for improvements to Herff Rd., and nearly $8 million toward a new wastewater treatment plant that would serve the 2,480 homes and commercial sites envisioned east of town off Texas 46.

The city's $27 million sewer plant went into service months ago, but E2M Partners, which replaced Marlin Atlantis on the Esperanza project, isn't required to make its first contribution on that until a building permit is issued for the first home.

The firm did recently pay out $82,547 as its initial installment on the $10 million Herff Rd. project, which calls for the road to be widened and extended to US 87 South from its current termination point at Old San Antonio Road.